How does Shakespeare Explore the Theme of Words and Silence?

In Much Ado About Nothing, there are many ways in which Shakespeare looks into the theme of words and silence through the characters of Dogberry, Don John and Hero. Shakespeare analyses this theme through how the characters use their own words to help themselves whether it be their weapon, shield or a weapon against themselves. Also, what effect their words have on the audience and other characters such as fear, humour and allowing the audience to get more involved. The theme also shows how they express their feelings of love, hatred or authority through silence.

From the very beginning Shakespeare has carefully determined how the characters use their words to defend themselves against others. Don John uses his words as a weapon to destroy the other characters; he prefers to be a ‘canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace’. This metaphor suggests that Don John hates that Don Pedro has more authority than he does and he despises the way Don Pedro casts a shadow over him. The contrast Shakespeare uses between a ‘weed’ and a ‘rose’ shows the audience how much Don John wants to stop pretending to be someone who he isn’t since it’s better for his ‘blood to be disdained’. As a comparison to Don John, Shakespeare makes Hero use her words as an act of defence. During the wedding scene Hero protects herself by saying, ‘Oh, God defend me! how am I beset!’. Hero looks to ‘God’ for help instead of defending herself whilst Claudio is attacking her with his words as ‘weapons’, this shows Hero’s desperation and the audience feels annoyed because Hero doesn’t always use her words as a shield when she should. However, when Hero does defend herself she uses her words sparingly by saying, ‘Is my lord well’ and ‘seem'd I ever otherwise to you?’ Shak...

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...e they are both too ‘overcome by love’. However, Dogberry is hardly silent therefore showing his authority by never being quiet, this may cause annoyance among the audience. One of Dogberry’s orders is, ‘You shall also make no noise in the streets’, this imperative is used to make sure the rest of the watch know what they are doing and Dogberry uses so many imperatives because he feels important and it is almost as if he is assuring himself that he has a high position.

Personally, I believe that Shakespeare’s use of the theme of words and silence is really effective because it engages the audience as they have a chance to get inside the characters head and understand their motives. Also, it shows the audience that it doesn’t matter how many lines the characters speak, it matters how the characters say it and what they say that really defines them for who they are.